Extension-table.



c, :4. sum.

EXTENSION TABLE. (A l ication med Feb. 26, 1901.

Patanted Oct. 8, l90l.

(No Model.)

Shae ta-Shaat I.

WITNESSES:

No. 684,120. Patented Oct. 8, l90l.

C. N. SMITH.

EXTENSION TABLE.

(Application filed Feb. 26, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shoat 2.

W/ TNE SSE S IN YEA/TOR w: nouns mm: 00 FMOTO-LITNO wummmn. D. c.

No. 684,|20. Patented Got. 8, mm.

c. a. sum.

EXTENSION TABLE (No ModeL) 3 Shuts-Shoot 3.

/0 WITNESSES" INVENTOI} 0%,- @MM M A TTO UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

CHRIS N. SMITH, OF'ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 684,120, dated October8, 1901'.

Application filed February 26, 1901. Serial Ho. 48,933. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern. I

Be it known that I, CHRIS N. SMITH, residing at Elgin, in the county ofKane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Extension-Tables, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to that type of extension-tables having the topand side members of their extensible or end portions so arranged as tobe conveniently adjusted to a plane below the top of the central orfixed part of the table, whereby said end, top, and side portions can bequickly slid under the top of the central part when the table ends areclosed inward without the necessity of removing any of the several partsconstituting the extensible ends.

My present invention more particularly relates to improvements on thetable construction disclosed in my Patent No. 634,37 2, dated October 3,1899, and primarily it seeks to provide for rendering my patentedconstruction referred to more simple, economical, and stable.

My present invention comprehends, among other essential features, animproved means for joining the foldable or continuous side members tothe vertically-adjustable extension top sections, whereby the samecan beconveniently and quickly swung to their 0perative condition and wherebythey will be automatically held locked to their turnedback orinoperative position andfreed from rattling or loose setting Myinventionin its complete make-up also includes certain changes and improvementsin the link connections that join the adjustable or swinging topsections to their holding rails or cleats, whereby when swung up in aplane with the fixed table-top sections they will be more firmly andproperly held than is Figure 1 is an inverted perspective View of thetable extended. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of one end of the sameextended. Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.Fig. iis a similar view taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2with the end section folded under the main section. Fig. 5 is alongitudinal section of one of the extensible ends and illustrating oneof the top portions thereof folded down in position to be slid under thecentral table-section. Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the linkmembers hereinafter referred to. Fig. 7 isa perspective viewillustrating the preferred manner in which the continuous side piece isconnected to the top section and the means for holding it automaticallylocked to its upright or closed-in positions. Fig. 8 is a verticalsection of the same'on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an invertedplan. Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9 of aslightlymodified construction of the hinge-joint for the continuous sidepiece. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view, and Fig. 12 is a sectionalview on the line 12 12 of Fig. 11, of a further modification of myinvention.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in which like charactersindicate like parts in all the figures, 1 designates the top of thecentral part of the table, which has pendent fixedly-held sides 1, thelower edges of which are fixedly joined to a number (three being shown)of cross-pieces 2, upon which the longitudinally-extending fixedly- Vheld slide or guide bars 3 are held, which bars have suitableguide-flanges 3 and grooves3 to receive the correspondingly-shapedrunner or slide bars of the extensible end sections, presently referredtop t designates a metallic socket piecefixedly and centrally secured tothe under side of the central cross-piece 2, to which a centralsupporting-leg 5 is detachably secured in any approved manner.

The extensible end portions of the table (indicated by X and Y) are eachconstructed alike, and a detailed description and the mode of operationof one end portion-will suflice for both. Each end portion includes atop section 10, which may consist of one solid member, as shown at a inFig. 2, or several members, as shown in Fig. 5. Upon the under side thetop section 10 has a pair of longitudinallyextending cleats 10, to whichone end of the swinging links 11, presently again referred to, arejoined. \Vhen adjusted to its elevated position, the member 10 is heldin a plane with the central top section 1; but when folded down it willlie in a plane below the said top section, so as to conveniently slideunder the said section when the several parts are closed in, as shown inFigs. 4 and 5.

12 designates a pendent end piece fixedly secured to the cross-bar 16,and 13 13 designate the foldable side members, that form continuationsof the pendent sides of the central or fixed table-section.

15 designates an inwardly-projecting cleat made fast to the end piece12, and 16 is a cross'pieee that is secured to the under side of thecleat15.

17 17 designate the runner or slide bars, two of which are preferablyconnected to each extensible end section. These bars in cross-sectionare suitably shaped to slide freely on the fixedly-held guide-bars 3,and. the said bars are made fast to the cleat 15 and the cross-piece 16,as clearly shown in the drawings. On the opposite ends the crossbar 16has metallic sockets 18 18 to receive the ends of the detachably-heldsupportinglegs 19 19.

The continuous side pieces 13, the peculiar connection of which with thetop 10 forms an essential feature of my present invent-ion, in theirpreferred form are joined to the memher 10 in the manner best shown inFigs. 7 and 8, by reference to which it will be observed the side edgesof the member 10 terminate in straight vertical portions and the sides13 have their upper ends arranged to fit flush with the top surface ofmember 10 when the sides are down to their straight or pendent position.

Upon the inner face each side piece 13 has two cleats 13, separated attheir adjacent ends, to which cleats one member 521 of the hinges 21 aresecured, the other member 21 of which is made fast to the under side ofthe top section 10. As will be seen in Figs. 7'and 8, the cleats 13 onthe sides 13 and the hinged joint are relatively so disposed that whenclosed under the upper edge of the sides 13 will lie in a plane with thevertical side edge of the said top 10 to facilitate the sliding of thetop, with its folded sides, be tween the stationary sides of the centralpart of the table.

At suitable points inside its edges supplemental cleats 23 are made faston the under side of the top 10, against which the inner ends of thesides close when turned under, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

In my other patent referred to I have shown the continuous sides asfoldable onto the top of the member 10, suitable pivotal link devicesbeing shown for that purpose. In the construction shown in my otherpatout the link connections do not keep the foldable sides from looselyseating on the top 10 and from rattling. Furthermore, such arrangementis objectionable, as it tends to mar or otherwise mutilate thetable-top.

I have found it preferable to fold the continuous side portions underthe table and to hold them automatically locked in either the Verticalorhorizontal positions. For this purpose I employ an ordinary stout wirespring 25, which, as will be clearly seen by reference to Figs. 7 and 8,is seated in a recess 10, the outer end of which registers with thespace between the hinge-cleats 13. The recess 10 is made tapering fromits inner end outward, (see Fig. 8,)whereby its outer end will havegreater depth than the innerend, the purpose of which will presentlyappear.

The inner end of the spring 25 is secured to astud 25, fixedly held inthe inner or shallow end of the recess 10 and the outer end of suchspring is made fast to the stud 25 on the upper end of the side piece13.

By making the recess 1O tapering, in the manner shown and described, itpermits fastening the opposite ends of the spring 25 in such manner thatby reason of the draft or tension line thereof it will serve toautomatically pull the member 13 when partly shifted by hand to eitherits open or vertical position orits folded horizontal position. Thuswhen the member 13 is pulled down to its pendent position and the outerend of the spring 25 passes above the horizontal plane or hinge-pointofmember 13 (indicated by the broken line 30 in Fig. 8) the spring willexert aninward pull on the upper end of the member 13 and in consequencehold it firmly locked to its vertical position and from loose play orrattling.

\Vhen the member 13 is partly turned under to its folded position, asindicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11, to bring the outer end of thespring 25 below the hinge axis or line 30, the spring draft orpull willdraw the member 13 up to its horizontal position and hold it locked fromrattling or loose play.

In my patent hereinbefore referred to the swinging top sections 10 arejoined to the slide-bars by links; but the arrangei'nent of the saidlinks is such that dowels or other like devices are required to maintainthe tops 10 in a proper level position.

In my present construction the links 11 are joined to the slide-bars 17and the tops 10 in substantially the same manner as that shown in mypatent aforesaid. The shape of the links 11 in the present case is,however, different, and they serve an additional function.

The head portions 11 of the links 11 in the present case are extended ina forward direction to produce elongated flat bearing-surfaces 11 toengage the under side of the top when it is elevated and provide a solidrest therefor. In placing the links 11 in position the forward links foreach swinging top section are pivotaliy joined to the bar 17 and thecleats 10, so that when to the vertical position the nose or front end11" thereof will project beyond the front edge of the top section, towhich it joins, and extend under the adjacent edge of the fixedtable-top or the next forward top section 10, as clearly shown in Fig.4. This providesasolid bearing for the rear edges of the fixed andmovable top sections, keeps said edges and the front edges of theadjacent sections in a proper alinement, and dispenses with the use ofdowels or kindred devices usually employed for such purposes.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a slightly-modified way of joining the hingedsides 13 to the top 10. The outer edges of the top are rabbeted, as at10 to receive the rabbeted edges 13 of the members 13. In the latterconstruction the supplemental cleats are dispensed with.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, it is thought the complete operation and theadvantages of myimprovement will be read ily understood.

To extend one or both endsof the table, the extensions are pulled out,the continuous side members are adjusted to their vertical position, thetop is pulled up, and the extension pushed back to bring the forwardedge of the top to about the adjacent end of the central or fixedly-heldtop 1 and the projecting or nose portions of the forward links 11 undersaid edge of top section 1.

In Figs. 11 and 12 are illustrated further modifications relating to thethe spring connection that joins the continuous foldable sides with thetop sections. In this form the spring member is in the nature of aspringwire 25*, the inner end of which is made fast to the under side ofthe top piece 10, while its outer end laps over a stud-pin 26*, thatextends over the space between the adjacent ends of the members 13-",and, asbest shown in Fig. 12, the said pin 26 lies in a plane below thefixedly-held inner end. Thus the tension of the spring 25 will hold thecontinuous side piece 13 to either of its adjustments mentioned at endof specifications, so that by reason of the peculiar construction of themembers 11 and the connection with the members 17 and 10, andparticularly the angle of the surface 11 to a line taken longitudinallythrough the two pivot-points of the said members 11, the swingingleafmembers when raised to a plane with the fixed tabletop will remainsupported in their elevated position without learn ing against or uponthe ends of the table.

The hinge members, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 6, may be made ofa rectangular body, as indicated in dotted lines in said Fig. 6, or thesame have other shapes; but in all forms, however, the angle of the topsurface and the correlation therewith of the two pivotal points must bemaintained, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

1. In an extension-table of the character described, the combinationwith the extensible slides; of a top member adjustable in differenthorizontal planes, and swinging link members pivotally joining saidmovable top with the extensible slides, said link members having flatbearing-surfaces, and portions adapted to project beyond the forwardedge of the movable top section, whereby to extend under the bottom ofan adjacent top section, as set forth.

2. In an extension-table of the character described, the combinationwith the fixedlyheld table-top and the extensible slides; of a drop-tophaving pendent cleats, and a plurality of swinging links 11, said linkseach consisting of a pendent shank, pivotally con nected to the pendentcleats, a forwardlyextending angular portion formed with a fiatbearing-surface to engage the bottom of the drop-section when saidsection is in its elevated position, the forward one of said links beingjoined with the slide and the top cleat, in such manner that the outerend of its angle portion projects beyond the front edge of the movabletop to engage the under face of the adjacent end of the fixedly-held topsection when the extensible top section is closed thereagainst, for thepurposes specified.

3. In an extension-table, the combination with the fixedly-held slides,and the fixedlyheld top having pendent sides; of the extensible slides,a drop-leaf or top member carried thereon, pendent side members, hingedto the said drop-leaf to close thereunder to permit said drop-leafpassing under the fixed top, and automatically-operating means forholding said hinged sides to their vertical positions to formcontinuations of the fixedlyheld sides, and for holding said hingedsides folded up under the drop-top, as specified.

4.'In an extension-table, the combination with the fixedly-held top andits slides, said top having fixedly-held pendent sides; of theextensible slide members, a leaf or top member supported thereon forvertical adjustment, andadapted to fold down on the extensible slides ina plane below the fixedly-held table-top, said leaf having sides hingedthereto, and adapted,when swung to a vertical po sition, to formcontinnations of the fixedlyheld sides, and means for holding the sidesheld locked to the vertical and the foldedunder positions, for thepurposes described.

5. In an extensioirtable as described, the combination with the foldabletable-top section; of side members hinged thereto, to fold thereunder ina horizontal plane, said sides having their upper ends held to abut theouter edges of the top section when turned to their vertical position,and a spring, one end of which is secured to the table-top in ahorizontal plane below the hinge-point of the sides, its other end beingsecured to the sides at a IIO &

point above said hinge-point, substantially as shown and for thepurposes described.

(3. In an extension-table of the character described, the combinationwith the main or fixed table-top, its fixed pendent sides, and theslide-guides of the extensible slides, the drop-top sections movable indifferent horizontal' planes, pivotal connections joining saiddrop-sections with the extensible slides, said drop-sections includingpendent sides in a plane with the said drop-sections, and to extendinward in a plane inside the fixedlydicld pendent sides, for thepurposes specified.

7. In a table of the character described, an extensible sectionincluding a top movable in different horizontal planes, said sectionhaving hinged pendent sides to fold in a plane parallel with the top,and means for automatically holding the said pendent sides locked totheir horizontal or vertical adjustments, as set forth.

8. In an extension-table of the character described,the combination withthe extensible slides and the drop-top; of the links 11, said linkshaving a pivotal connection at one end with the top and at the other endwith the slides, and having an upper bearing" edge inclined at an acuteangle to a line runninglongitudinally through the two pivotal pointsthereof, for the purposes set forth.

9. In an extension-table of the character described, the combinationwith the main table-section, having pendent sides; of an exten sible topsection foldable in a plane below the main top section, said extensibletop having sides hinged thereto to form continuations of the main sides,and an automatically-operating means adapted to hold the said sidesunder tension to their vertical position when swung manually to suchposition and likewise to their horizontal or folded-in positions whenturned inward, for the purposes specified.

CHRIS N. SMITH.

Witnesses:

T. S. HUNTLEY, R. N. B. AsFoRD.

